Huffhike

Day 46 (Mile 732.5)

So it has been a bit since my last entry. I was hoping I could return to my previous layout of blogging where I break each day down with my milage split as well as what I did, but that has become harder and harder to maintain.

So, this week started with me staying at Woods Hole Hostel. The original game plan was to take a nero and a zero at the hostel (near zero and 0 miles). However, one of my friends I met along the way was waiting for a package that had his glasses in them, so we had no choice but to stay. Not that it took much persuading as the gratitude circle, yoga, farm to table food, and great vibes made it hard to leave.

To avoid taking a double zero we opted to slack pack 17 miles. Obviously the lack of weight made the miles cruise by, but the real motivation came in the Dairy Queen 0.8 miles off of trail. After a quick mint oreo blizzard we were back on trail, and after hitting the 17 mile mark we hopped in the shuttle and were back at woods whole where we had our last gratitude circle and went to bed.

The next 2 days were fairly uneventful. We traversed through deep forrest, walked through pastures, and eventually found ourselves within a few miles of the 700 mile mark as well as the Virginia Tripple Crown, which consists of Dragon Tooth, McAfee Knob, and the Tinker Cliffs.

Throughout my time hiking in those 2 days, I found myself in and out of hiking with a group of my friends (Alex, Side Quest, Gibson, and Sophie). Throughout the time, I found myself incredibly greatful and appreciatative to run into them on trail and have the opportunity to share the little and big moments of the trail with such a special group of people.

But in the moments where I was alone, I became incredibly greatful and appreciatative for myself and my past. So many times on trail, I have laid out my past negatively to explain why Im doing the trail now. Numerous times I have gone into detail about the housing market, my shingles and panic attack, and so much more insignificant speed bumps that led me to being here now, as if I need some grand reason.

I think I realized over the past few days, that the past or your reasons are irrelevant to why you are on trail. At the end of the day, all those minor or major reason led me to being here, so they all have a purpose and beauty to my story. Maybe the event was a brutal uphill or a cruisy downhill, either way they led me to this section of trail.

The following day we crossed the 700 mile mark of the trail, with a new friend Funky Flames. It was a nice reflection moment realizing that I was roughly a third of the way done the trail (also acknowledging how difficult it will get the more north we go). After a few more miles, we hit the first section of the Virginia Tripple Crown; the dragon tooth. The Tooth is a massive bolder that over looks a massive section of Virginia. I attempted to climb to the summit of the Tooth, but I ended up stopping short after realizing how large it was.

After summiting we headed down the tooth, and began hiking towards the store a mile off trail. After hitting the trail head we instantly threw out our thumbs and began to hitch. Instantly, like a sign from the universe White Wolf appeared with his pickup truck and offered us a ride. Once getting to the store, I purchased way too much food and began to chow down. After a bit of discussing with White Wolf he offered to give us a ride to the trail head at 4am to make the sunrise on McAfee Knob so long as we stayed at the Four Pines hostel.

Obviously we agreeded. So we packed back into the bed of the pickup and made our way to Four Pines. We were greeted to a beautiful farm and lasagna. Knowing we were going to be moving at 3am we all packed into a barn and made camp for the night.

The following day, we woke up at 3am and headed off to the trailhead. While riding in the back of the pickup through the dark, I had this quick thought. That this is the life we are meant to live, not through the Instagram posts, or validation. But the excitement of everyday life and the little miracles that occur everyday.

Anyways, as normal I throguh on some music (Zach Bryan) and zoned my way up the mountain. It was a great climb and we made McAfee just as the sun was peaking, a perfect execution of a perfect iconic AT picture. After seeing the sunrise, I said goodbye to my tramily (knowing I wanted to hit bigger miles for the day) and headed off to Daleville.

After a few miles, I hit the Tinker Cliffs and slowly made my way to Daleville. After making it to town I resuppled, and had some Bojangles (wicked good btw). I then walked 2 miles outside of town and hitched to a local children’s park where they allow AT hikers to camp, charge, and shower.

Since getting to the park, I wrote this blurb and have been waiting for it to be a bit more dark to set up my tent. I also will be on the swings once the children leave.

All in all a great chunk of trails, with truely the most amazing and cool people.

Happy Trails!